Grand Cariboo Opry review had country roots

It all started with a rodeo dance in Clinton, B.C. The Legendary Hearts had gathered at Barney Bentall’s Cariboo ranch to work up a set of country covers “for the old-timers to two-step to”. By 2006, matters had evolved into Barney Bentall and the Grand Cariboo Opry, a rousing, old-style review that comes to the Vogue on December 11 for its fifth straight year of charitable work.

“We have this group of musicians I absolutely love playing with,” Bentall told the Straight, of a cast that includes son Dustin, Kendel Carson, Wendy Bird, and Ridley Bent. “It’s been a great thing for me, because I had to work at music that I loved but didn’t really know how to do.” Along with original songs, the Grand Cariboo Opry takes on chestnuts by the likes of the Louvin Brothers, as well as traditional numbers like “Shady Grove”. And in true period style, Bentall and guitarist Matt Masters will break up the music with messages from their sponsors—in this case, companies that have made a donation for the night, which will benefit the Potluck Café Society for the Downtown Eastside. It’s become an enormously popular part of the show.

“We were watching old [Grand Ole] Opry footage,” Bentall explained, “and I thought, ”˜What if we did this?’ We’d raise money for charity, and I’d say, ”˜This next song was brought to you by so-and-so.’ It’s not often you get a chance to poke fun at Shaw Communications or whoever.”

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